Student takes aim at world hunger with nonprofit internship

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For more than six months, Nicole has worked with Stop Hunger Now, a Lynchburg-based nonprofit, provide meals for people without adequate access to food. Back in August, she helped send thousands of meals to Haiti. “Seeing the meals shipped to Haiti really touched me because the people were so appreciative,” Nicole said. “With Stop Hunger Now, you really see true results.”

Nicole first heard about Stop Hunger Now when LC professor Dr. Jimmy Roux invited two representatives to talk to students about the nonprofit organization and job opportunities there. Nicole got involved with Stop Hunger Now in April and in May she began working part-time as a CHEF — Chief Hunger Event Facilitator.

As a CHEF, Nicole was responsible for organizing and setting up assembly lines for meal packaging events, where members of churches, school groups, civic organizations, or other groups work together to package meals of rice, beans, and vegetables. She has led teams ranging in size from 50 to 800 people as they work quickly to put together thousands of meals. The fast-paced, social events allow teams to have fun while serving others. At the completion of every one-thousandth meal, someone rings a gong to celebrate.

“My first Stop Hunger Now experience was a very fun one,” Nicole recalled. “The church we worked with had done this before, so they were all very excited to be participating again. The people were happy, active, and very welcoming. You could tell that they were doing this from the kindness of their hearts,”

In August, Nicole shifted into a new role as an intern and a World Hunger Educator. She now focuses on teaching people about the extent of world hunger and about how the packaged meals benefit the people who receive them. “It is important to learn about how these meals are being used and the positive impacts that they have on decreasing the poverty level,” Nicole said. She also continues to help at meal packaging events.

Being a global citizen is important to Nicole, who said that she has always been taught to help others. She believes that people should get involved in giving back to their communities. “Since seeing the organization give back and experiencing the excitement and gratitude of the people receiving the Stop Hunger Now meals, my confidence has really increased,” Nicole said.

Working with Stop Hunger Now, she has realized that she is not afraid to show her passion for helping others. The internship also has helped her refine her communication skills.

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Persons needing accommodations for disabilities at a University of Lynchburg event should contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources at least one week before the event. Email timmons.j@lynchburg.edu or dillon_ma@lynchburg.edu, or call 434-544-8339.